In honor of St. Paddy’s Day, I thought that I would share my favorite Ireland experiences with you. The Ireland I love is mossy single-lane roads, small pubs where the whole town comes out for the live music, overgrown roofless castles, and soda bread with every meal. I keep going back to Ireland, because every time I’m there, I find more to experience! So without further ado, and in no particular order, here are my 15 favorite travel experiences in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland…

Exploring the natural marvel that is the Giant’s Causeway

Crossing Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge like the fishermen of old Ireland

Kissing the blarney stone, because why not? (Just try not to think about the urban legend that the locals pee on it–ha ha!)

Watching the sun set on the ruins of Dunluce castle, which was abandoned when the kitchens fell into the sea in the 1600s

Seeing the last pier the Titanic embarked from @ Cohb, Ireland

Getting completely lost and running into random castles

Feeling the wind in my hair at the Cliffs of Moher

Renting a car and driving at leisure through all the small villages of Ireland–I especially loved stopping at Nancy’s in Ardara for the amazing seafood

Spending the night at Markree Castle in the room Cecil F. Alexander wrote her famous hymn, “All Things Bright and Beautiful” (W.B. Yeats was also a frequent visitor!)

Stopping by Trim Castle, the largest Norman castle in Ireland and the set for Braveheart’s “Freedom!” cry

Running into an Irish music festival in Baltimore and enjoying a nice cuppa with this view of the harbor

Sneaking into high tea at Adare Manor in the darling thatched town of Adare

Taking the walking tour of Kinsale to see all the brightly painted houses and hear the rich history of the area

Exploring random graveyards

Having fish and chips at Durty Nelly’s, the oldest pub in Ireland, located next to Bunratty Castle

Since yesterday was the anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, and Japan has been on my mind, I decided to share something close to my heart. I lived in Japan for three years and moved just months before the disaster. I will always remember how I felt as I watched the television in horror as the tsunami swept away places I had been to and people I might have met. And in the days following the disaster, I marvelled at how the Japanese people calmly put life back together. There was no rioting; the only looting that occured was instigated by gaijin, foreigners; and people waited in orderly queues for gas and water. I feel like the world can learn so much about strength of character from the Japanese people. They have such an extraordinary social dynamic that it creates a truly remarkable culture and a truly remarkable people. The following are six life lessons I learned from my time in Japan.

Play Your Part in the Greater Whole

The Japanese espouse a team mentality. After the tsunami, the reason people waited patiently in line for gas—some for days—is because the Japanese people value the greater whole over the individual. They understand the bigger picture and the important role they play in it. Self sacrifice and team work are honored while self-serving behaviors are despised. This works for them, because Japan is built on a culture of trust. They trust that the person next to them will do their part, too.

Energy Matters

Energy, health, and enthusiasm are all rolled into one term: genki. It is not uncommon in Japan to greet someone by asking them about their energy levels: “Genki desu ka?” This concept of genki is fundamental to the way Japanese think. Another term, Gambatte, emphasizes the enthusiam and determination of the Japanese people. It means, “You can do it!” or, “Try your best.” These concepts reveal how much energy and effort mean to the Japanese.

Perfect Isn’t Beautiful

The Japanese term wabi-sabi describes the Japanese philosophy of beauty, which celebrates the imperfect and fleeting. In Japan, things that are “too perfect” are actually considered ugly. Things that are fleeting are also cherished, such as hanami (falling cherry blossoms).

Be Humble, Always

Humbleness permeates everything the Japanese do—it is even built into the language and customs. For example, bowing is a common way in Japan to show respect and apologize. And Japanese language features complex rules of honorific and humble speech. They have the most beautiful and polite ways to present things, like I read once on a donut package, “We are most honored to offer you this most humble of donuts.” Like everything else in Japan, there is even an artform to being the most humble. If you receive a compliment, you must deflect the compliment and come up with something that makes you look worse.

Have Pride, Respect Others, and Serve

In Japan, everyone takes pride in his or her position and value in his or her contributing role. If you work at McDonald’s, you are the best McDonald’s worker, and you serve your customers with pride. This translates into a phenomenal service culture in which everyone is treated with diligence and respect. And they do all this without tipping—revolutionary if you ask me! These values also make Japan literally the most hard-working country in the world, because they drive a more culturally enforced work ethic based on pride, respect, and integrity.

Plan for the Future

Japan is rattled by 20% of the world’s earthquakes above 6 magnitude. I felt hundreds and hundreds of earthquakes during the three years I lived in Japan, some as strong as 7.2; yet I watched firsthand how time and time again, Japan’s planning and engineering standards withstood the force of these quakes with little-to-no damage. Another true testament to a nation focused on foresight is that every single car in a Japanese parking lot is carefully and expertly backed into a parking space and at restaurants in which you have to remove your shoes, you will see rows of shoes lined up with toes pointing toward the door, ready for an easy exit.

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Have you been to Japan and witnessed any of these phenomena for yourself? I’d love to hear about it!

To me, Tibet is the most mysterious, unforgettable destination in the world. The majesty of the Himalayas, the unique cultural treasures, and the beautiful and warm Tibetan people combine to create an achingly overwhelming experience. When you add the sudden lack of oxygen and resulting lack of sleep, the result is dreamlike and surreal.

I traveled from Chengdu, China, to Lhasa, Tibet, via the Qinghai-Tibet (Qinqzang) railway with my cousin, her husband, and their ten-year-old son. It took us 44 hours to steadily climb from 1,640 feet to a staggering 12,001 feet. As we crested over the pass into Lhasa, I felt like we were brushing heaven. I could understand why Lhasa means “land of the gods.”

No trip to Tibet can be complete without a stop in Lhasa. I think it’s important for travelers to visit this mystical place to build their own perspectives, so here are some top sights to see in Lhasa, Tibet.

1. Potala Palace

Rising up steeply 130 meters above Lhasa valley, the Potala Palace draws thousands of Tibetan pilgrims each day who have come to receive blessings from the divinities. The present palace was constructed in 1655 and is the official residence of the Dalai Lama. The ornate beauty of this palace is legendary, and rightly so. I loved the exuberant colors and gilded artwork, lit mysteriously by flickering candles. The climb to the palace is somewhat strenuous, but add the effect of altitude, and it becomes an Olympic event. Make sure to reserve your Potala visit a few days into your trip to make sure you are fully acclimated to the altitude.

2. Jokhang Temple

Built in the 7th century, Jokhang Temple is the spiritual heart of Lhasa. I remember the Jokhang most for the clouds of smoky incense, prostrating pilgrims, glint of gold everywhere, and sheer mass of offerings before each religious relic. Significant religious statues were virtually buried in jumbles of yuan notes, coins, white scarfs, and personal letters. The Jokhang is the lodestone that Tibetans are willing to prostrate for thousands of miles to reach, so here the spiritual passion of the Tibetan people is palpable and awe-inspiring. Don’t miss the 2,500 year old murals and the statue of Buddha, believed to have been anointed by Buddha himself.

3. The Barkhor

If the Jokhang Temple is the heart of Lhasa, the Barkhor contains the arteries, pumping pilgrims and locals about their daily business. They prostrate in prayer, engage in kora (walking clockwise around the temple), and spin prayer wheels against a colorful backdrop of picturesque shops and ancient buildings—all under the watchful eyes of tourists and Chinese military police. This is my favorite place in the world for people watching as nomads, yak herders, and farmers migrate here to circumambulate Jorkhor temple on Barkhor streets for their annual pilgrimages. It is also great to pick up trinkets to take back home.

4. Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in the world, housing 10,000 monks at its zenith. It is a shadow of its former self with less than 400 monks in attendance. Dreprung is amazing with its stunning views of the Lhasa valley surrounded by the tallest mountains in the world. I loved the pilgrims fervently pouring yak butter from their tin pitchers to feed the candles. You can actually take pictures inside the monastery. Don’t miss the mandelas (intricate sand sculptures) and huge kitchen where you can make a donation to feed the monks.

5. Sera Monastery

Go to Sera Monastery to see the debating monks! Monks meet daily in the monastery garden to debate Buddhist doctrine. Some monks sit in circles and discuss scripture peacefully while others punctuate each argument with thunderous expressions and hand slapping. These battles of words are fascinating to watch, so make sure to time your visit in the afternoon Monday through Friday after 3 to witness this ancient form of reasoning. Be respectful of the monks and make sure you stay on the path.

6. Norbulingka Summer Palace

Visiting the Nobulingka Summer Palace is fascinating, because the Seventh Dalai Lama constructed the first summer palace in 1755 and each successive Dalai Lama added his own addition to the complex. The result is a layered look at 200 years of history and Tibetan interior design. It provides a more intimate and homey glimpse into the lives of the Dalai Lamas up to the 14th Dalai Lama’s departure in 1959. Don’t miss the murals!

7. Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery was completely destroyed during the rebellion of 1959 but has been in the middle of reconstruction for the past 30 years. It is considered to be one of the great three monasteries of Tibet. The secret about Ganden is the sheer beauty of the kora around the monastery. As you circumambulate with pilgrims, you look upon yaks grazing, enjoy stunning mountain views, and get an eye-level view of the clouds. Note that Ganden Monastery is a 90 minute drive from Lhasa and is a half mile higher than Lhasa, so the altitude is quite serious and not for those already suffering from altitude sickness.

8. Dolma Lhakhang and Nyetang Lhachenmo

If you are looking for an authentic experience, then visiting the Dolma Lhakhang should be on your list, because it was one of the very few temples to survive the Cultural Revolution. Original buildings hold particular significance for me–I love to imagine what the walls would say if they could talk. Then, just 3 miles down the road is a 100 foot statue of Buddha Shakyamuni carved and painted into the side of the mountain. The original carving is said to be 1000 years old. You can see both of these on the way to the airport.

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This is by no means a exhaustive list, but it provides a great starting point for planning your Tibet trip. I think the most important thing to do before planning any trip is to do tons of research to find out the things you want to see and then you can determine how to get there and where to stay. Watch for Tuesday’s post on how to plan a trip to Tibet. Thank you so much for reading! I appreciate all of you, and thank you for your comments!

The seven days I spent in Tibet haunt me. I dream often of thick clouds of incense smoke settling heavily on air that is thinned by extreme altitude. In my dreams, I am light headed again, I can’t catch a breath, and my heart is pounding with the sounds of monks chanting to the thrums of the drums and the wail of the horns. I remember magnificent vistas of ragged mountain ranges and sweeping plains. I think most of all of the people—so beautiful in their humble yet fervent devotion. Their constant movement is dizzying–bodies prostrating in supplication on the hard ground, hands spinning prayer wheels, lips moving as they count prayer beads. The strength of ceremony and tradition in Tibet is as powerful as the vivid colors that brighten the soot-stained temples. In Tibet, I came to know the heights of the highest mountains in the world and the incredible people who call them home. But I also came face to face with the brutal lows of a peaceful people encased in a strong military grip. I think it’s important for travelers to go to Tibet to experience this mystical place for themselves and build their own perspectives, so check back for upcoming posts on tips for traveling to Tibet that support the people of this beautiful land.

The Potala Palace, built in 1645, has more than 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 200,000 statues.

Prayer wheels for kora to the Potala Palace

Potala pilgrim

Monks vigorously debating scripture @ Sera Monastery

Boy receives a blessing @ Sera Monastery

A holy man prepares to give a discourse @ Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery used to be a home for 10,000 Buddhist monks–now there are less than 400.

Friendly pilgrim @ Barkhor Market in Lhasa

Light illuminates prostrating pilgrims in front of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa

A pilgrim engages in kora around the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa

I met this beautiful Tibetan woman in a park in Lhasa and she asked me to take her portrait.

The restored Yungbu Lakang Palace is said to be the oldest building in Tibet and overlooks the ancient Yarlung Valley.

Monks hard at work at Yungbu Lakang, Tibet

The Nyetang Lhachenmo Buddha is more than 100 feet tall and 1000 years old

Sheep herding in the Himalayas

Monks at Samye Monastery–built in 775-9, it is the oldest monastery in Tibet

Yak butter candles light up the deities at Samye Monastery.

Thank you for reading! Have you considered a trip to Tibet? If so, has anything been holding you back?

I’m not an overly experienced diver, but I have been lucky enough to complete more than 30 dives in some of the most beautiful locations in the world. I earned my SSI Open Water Diver certification in Thailand, and I received my PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification in the Red Sea in Egypt, which are both amazing places to dive; however, my absolute favorite-top-ultimate diving experience was spending 45 minutes with manta rays in the Maldives. I was cruising the North Ari Atoll on a liveaboard when we stopped at Dhon Kalo Thila, known locally as the “manta cleaning station,” for an epic afternoon dive. The visibility was less than 10 meters due to the high concentration of plankton–which is fantastic, because that is what manta rays love to feed on! The current was very strong as we descended 20 meters to the bottom and settled on the seabed to spend some time with these pelagic giants. I was stunned by their immense size and wing span as some came within brushing distance of me. There were 14 manta rays in total, swimming strongly against the current with mouths open wide to sift plankton, and being treated to the cleaning treatment of resident remoras. It was so humbling and awe inspiring to witness the majesty of these creatures in their element. I know my words cannot do them justice, so here are some pictures! Do you want to go diving with these gentle giants? Thanks for reading!

Only 36 km from the China-Vietnam border, and a overnight train ride from Hanoi, lies the quiet mountain town of Sa Pa, which straddles the misty, rice-terraced highlands of Vietnam. Sa Pa is home to migrant lowlanders and a great diversity of ethnic minority peoples, primarily Hmong and Dao. The villagers from areas surrounding Sa Pa live in extreme but extremely picturesque poverty. Electric lines jar unnaturally with the bucolic scenery of bamboo and wood homes nestled in the rocky valleys while water buffalo graze in verdant rice paddies. There are hundreds of miles of trekking trails between and around the villages of Lao Cai, Ta Van, and Ta Phin and hundreds more domestic scenes to witness. Naked little boys throw rocks into a stream. Teenagers go about daily chores of feeding the livestock. Women stand in doorways, their hands stained with indigo and busy with embroidery. Despite only being a stone’s throw from Sa Pa, these mountain villages seem a whole world away with their own languages, costumes, customs, and ways of life.

The best way to explore the breathtaking scenery of this rugged area is to hire a moped or a local guide. We loved trekking with Shosho Laochai! From the Black H’mong people of Lao Cai village, Shosho shares her home and culture with grace and a wonderful sense of humor. Should you decide to partake in a trekking excursion, and you should, you are sure to be joined by self-appointed escorts of the local kind. They may be wearing Nikes or plastic sandals, but they will be proudly dressed in the finely embroidered outfits of their tribes, carrying umbrellas and woven baskets on their backs full of handmade (mostly) knick knacks to sell. Throughout your trek, they will pose for pictures, smile sweetly, make grass sculptures for you, and sing. Then, at lunch time, they will harangue you mercilessly to buy their trinkets, and you will. You need two indigo hand-embroidered pillow cases, a side bag, a coin pouch, and a passport carrier anyway, right?

I loved seeing the distinct costumes of the locals, such as the intricate red, green, and blue stitching on indigo-stained cloth and hooped silver earrings of the Black H’mong. Or the partially shaved heads and bright red tasseled headdresses of the Red Dao. And I loved talking with them! Many speak English and are ready with a story or a few. One stunning Red Dao woman described her daily journey of many miles to walk to the local market in Sa Pa to sell her handicrafts. I made many friends and took many stunning pictures. I have always thought that my biggest regrets in life are the pictures I don’t take, but in Vietnam I learned a hard lesson when I accidentally left my camera on the bus to the train station. I found out that my biggest regrets in life are the pictures I have taken but will never see again! Luckily my husband had his camera, too, so we have a few pictures of our trip to share. Enjoy! Thanks for reading.

]]>https://thepersephoneperspective.com/2015/02/18/travel-inspiration-trekking-in-the-northern-highlands-of-vietnam-sa-pa-vietnam/feed/922.356464 103.87380322.356464103.873803sapavietnam_blackhmongbaby_thepersephoneperspective_travelblog_babywearingthepersephoneperspectiveOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAtrekkingVietnam_laocaivillage_blackhmong_thepersephoneperspective_travelblogTrekkingVietnam_highlands_northerin_thepersephoneperspective_travelblogShoshoLaochai_vietnam_thepersephoneperspective_travelblogSchool_sapavietnam_boys_thepersephoneperspective_travelblogSaPaVietnam_TownScenery_thepersephoneperspective_travelBlogSaPavietnam_tourguides_thepersephoneperspective_travelblogsapavietnam_blackhmongbaby_thepersephoneperspective_travelblog_babywearingSapaUrchins_Vietnam_thepersephoneperspective_travelblogOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALaoCaiVietnam_thepersephoneperspective_travelblogBlackHmongGirl_laoCaiVillage_Vietnam_thepersephoneperspective_travelblogBlackHmongfriends_thepersephoneperspective_vietnamSapa_travelblogTravel Inspiration: Sights and Sounds of Chengdu, Chinahttps://thepersephoneperspective.com/2015/02/11/travel-inspiration-sights-and-sounds-of-chengdu-china/
https://thepersephoneperspective.com/2015/02/11/travel-inspiration-sights-and-sounds-of-chengdu-china/#commentsWed, 11 Feb 2015 21:14:57 +0000http://thepersephoneperspective.com/?p=368Continue reading →]]>The sound of China will remain forever in my mind as the cacophony of pounding hammers and shovels scraping rock as men build skyscrapers with crude hand tools. What is so astonishing is that the same act in America would be accompanied to the roaring of teams of excavators and electric saws. In China, you hear the determined sound of progress being made on the backs of cheap labor and the low, persistent roar of mass humanity buzzing about daily tasks.

China to me is a land of dichotomy. Building modern buildings with ancient techniques. Saving the pandas but eating the tigers. Killing the baby girls to leave the boys unable to find wives. The social dynamics at play in China are absolutely fascinating to witness first-hand, such as the Little Emperor Syndrome. Since Chinese couples are reduced to bearing one child, that sole child has the loving and devoted attention of not just a mom and dad, but also two sets of obsessive grandparents who provide a level of pampering never before seen in history. You often see these dutiful grandparents at the park, chasing after immaculately dressed, tricycle-riding tots.

Visiting China’s parks and public spaces is particularly interesting, since they act as the living rooms of China—with chess, dancing classes, bubble blowing, kite flying, and much more happening at all hours of the day. It’s also fascinating to visit the local markets to see what the Chinese eat—frogs, spiders, chicken feet, hog snout, other mysterious ingredients. More of my favorite experiences post coming soon! If you’ve been to Chengdu, I would love to hear about yours! Thanks for stopping by!

I often hear that travelers avoid Phuket, Thailand, like cats avoid water. Yes, there are plenty of reasons not to go to Phuket, such as the hordes of speedo-wearing, backpack-toting tourists and the polluting and seedy overcommercialization. But if you look beyond the grit and longtail exhaust, Phuket offers landscapes of astounding beauty, fantastic food, and wonderful culture. So go to Phuket and attack this bucket list in no particular order…

1. Have breakfast at Maya Bay, made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach. Getting there early in the morning means you will miss the crowds that are understandably drawn to this scenic and famous bay. You can get there by renting a longtail or speedboat. Or you can include Maya Bay as part of a tour itinerary. We chose the Simba Sea Tour of the Phi Phi Islands and totally LOVED IT! Amazing itinerary. Amazing food. Amazing snorkeling. Amazing staff. Amazing.

2. Have a photo fest at Phra Nang Beach by Railay Bay, one of the most beautiful and iconic bays in Thailand. You can actually stay at Railay Bay at one of the resorts, or you can just visit via longtail or speedboat. We chose to visit by speedboat, because between noon and 3 o’clock, this beach is one of the busiest hotspots for tour groups. But if you hang around, you are guaranteed a spectacular sunset!

3. Explore the Phuket mangrove swamp by river boat and kayak. This is a great way to experience the rural side of Thailand and to get up close and personal with some of the mangrove’s most cheeky residents–the monkeys! Check out River Rover Ecotours–we really enjoyed cruising with them!

4. Visit a local floating fishing village such as Koh Panyee, which was originally established by nomadic Malay fishermen 200 years ago. Go early to skip the crowds or go at lunch for the Tom Yam Goong.

6. Climb up the Nakkerd Hills to the 45 meter tall Big Buddha and get a striking view of the whole island. The Big Buddha is called “Phraputthamingmongkol Eaknakakeeree” by the locals. That’s one big name, but this is one big Buddha! There are also some beautiful wats to explore at the top of the hill. You can reach the Big Buddha by taxi or by motorbike (if you are really brave and really good at navigating potholes!).

7. Enjoy a fresh coconut milk with a view at Nark-Kird Sea View Restaurant. This incredible bird’s eye view of Phuket is on your way to the Big Buddha.

8. Visit Phuket’s spiritual center, Wat Chalong, one of Thailand’s most important temples and said to house a bone splinter from Lord Buddha.

9. Sink your feet in the incredibly fine, white sand at Monkey Beach. Monkey Beach boasts azure crystalline water and the most beautiful sand I’ve ever seen…and monkeys. Yes, there are monkeys, so keep your camera close! To find Monkey Beach, make your way to Phi Phi Don, the only inhabited island in the Phi Phi Archipelago.

10. Go snorkeling via a day trip through the Phi Phi Islands or at good snorkeling beaches, such as Ya Nui Beach, Laem Signh Beach, and the southern end of Naithon Beach.

11. Dive or snorkel the Similan Islands, accessible via a day trip with a tour company. (For more on the Similan islands, see here and here.)

13. Eat delicious Thai food and drink fruit juice. Lots of fruit juice. And don’t be afraid to try the cheap and plentiful street food. Most people in Thailand get at least one meal a day from a street food vendor, so it is easy to find quality street food in Phuket. Just look for well-cooked dishes. Try the Khao Mak Gai, Gai Yang (grilled chicken), and of course the Pad Thai.

14. Get off the tourist path and explore local markets and villages. One of our favorite days was when we rented a car and got lost on the way to Had Nai. We ran into a local market and wandered around with the locals, munching on spiced skewered chicken and examining the household goods on sale in the stalls.

15. Get giddy watching a spectacular Phuket sunset. They are that incredible! The sunset at Kata Beach and at Promthep Cape are two of the most photographic sunset locations.

16. Experience the nightlife and charm of Phuket’s historical old town, which is full of shops and restaurants. I dare you to try to avoid leaving with ten pairs of knockoff sunnies!

Other activities worth mentioning are to try learning a new skill, such as trapeze, Muay Thai boxing, or a thai cooking classes. Also, buy a custom-tailored suit and button-up shirts. Or seven. Get seven of them. You will thank me later. And do this on the first day to allow plenty of time for sewing.

Have you been to Phuket, Thailand? What were your favorite activities? Thanks for reading!

Just a three-hour bus ride from Hanoi is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, the azure home for 1,200 limestone islands called karsts. The magic of Ha Long Bay is the stuff of legends. According to ancient folklore, Ha Long was the resting place of dragons sent by the gods to defend Vietnam from invaders. In fact, Ha Long translates into “where the dragon descends into the sea.” Seeing the ragged karsts rising sharply out of the water and mist, you can easily imagine dragons gliding down among them. It was so gorgeous, it was unreal to me…and exactly what pirate dreams are made of. With the numerous Chinese-style junks surrounding us on all sides and the mist thick like cannon smoke, I felt like I was in the middle of some insane pirate battle. I am plagued by a most overactive imagination and sudden flights of fancy, so when I was exploring the Surprise cave, I could almost hear the sounds of sabers striking in battle and resonating throughout the chamber. When I was paddling through fishing villages, I was imagining a string of pirates paddling behind me, hot on my trail. When I was making sea snail egg rolls, I was a slave in the ship’s galley making treats for the captain’s table. And when I was lounging on the deck of the junk taking in the gorgeous sunset, I was waiting for a cannon ball to come blasting past my head at any second. Luckily I made it out alive to share these pictures with you!

Thanks for reading! Have you been to or are you considering a sail through Ha Long Bay?

All this talk of snow storms has me dreaming of snowboarding in my favorite place: Japan! If you don’t know how incredibly amazing the skiing in Japan is, this list of 8 reasons to go skiing or snowboarding in Japan is just for you…teaser: the snow monsters are real!

Snow. You may not know this, but snow is big in Japan. So big, in fact, that all cars in Japan have 4-wheel drive. And it’s that dry, light powder stuff that all powder hounds crave. In the summer, Siberian winds bring yellow sand to plague Japan, but in the winter those same winds cause a storm vortex that dumps buckets of dry, light, fluffy, plentiful powder to blanket Japan’s long, volcanic mountain range.

Terrain. Japan is known for its “deep not steep” terrain, and yes, the snow monsters are real. Whether you love groomed trails or backcountry terrain, Japan has the best of both worlds. Most Japanese have a strange penchant for freshly groomed corduroy, so they keep resort terrain groomed expertly. To me, this just means that all the tree runs and side powder stashes are reserved just for me, ready for plunder.

Affordability. When adult day passes at Jackson Hole Resort run an exorbitant $115, in contrast, tickets at Niseko (a.k.a. the Jackson Hole of Japan) run you just ¥6,400 (that’s $54 at today’s exchange rate). That’s just insane. Plus, Japan has a variety of youth hostels and ryokens that offer budget accommodation at extremely affordable prices. And, if you had to, you just might be able to live off of Lawsons convenience store onigiri (triangles of rice wrapped in seaweed and stuffed with a variety of fillings, such as salted salmon, pickled plums, tuna salad, roe, etc.).

Accessibility. Whether you’re in Hokkaido, northern Honshu, or just outside of Tokyo, chances are you are within striking distance of a ski resort. The most famous ski resorts are spread out across Japan: Nagano, Hakkoda, and Niseko. Plus, since Japan receives so much snow and the season is so much longer, the likelihood of having an epic snow day is quite high if you plan your trip between December and April.

Ramen. This amazing, salty soup was made for slurping and goes perfectly with a day on the slopes like yin to yang. Every resort in Japan comes complete with its own ramen cafeteria, where you can choose from a variety of hot, steaming ramen delights, such as butter ramen, squid ink ramen, and—my favorite—tonkatsu (pork-bone broth) ramen. Be sure to indulge in the specialty of the area you are in. In Sapporo, try the miso ramen with a pat of butter; in Tokyo, try the wide noodles swimming in dashi-flavored broth.

Friendliness. Even though the chairlift and gondola queues are short in comparison to their American and European counterparts, it’s super easy to make friends all over the mountain. Plus, the Japanese bring a whole new meaning to the word service. Whether they are working at McDonald’s or a Fortune 500 company, Japanese take pride in everything they do. This extends to the mountain hospitality. Most signs are posted in English and other languages to accommodate international skiers, and many mountain staff speak English as well. Also, for those with kids, Japanese resorts are super kid friendly with special areas for the kids to ski, play, and sled.

J-Pop. Only in Japan will you be serenaded with the spunky sounds of J-Pop blaring over the loudspeakers on all the lifts. What’s J-Pop? It’s Japan’s version of boy band pop and uses pronunciation that closely resembles English. It makes you feel like you are surfing a snow tsunami in your own cheesy Japanimation cartoon. Or it just might make you want to jump off the lift. Caution: Do not jump off the lift, even if the J-Pop makes you do it! LOL! Regardless, snowboarding to the J-Pop soundtrack is a memorable cultural experience.

Onsen. The Japanese have found an incredible use for Japan’s natural volcanic hotsprings: the onsen. Japanese onsens are amazing! And there’s nothing better for sore muscles than an hour at the onsen after a day on the mountain. If you are a little worried about making the wrong move with naked Japanese strangers, then see my onsen etiquette post (coming soon!).